Success for ground-breaking project to support care-experienced young people

All of the care-experienced young people who have taken part in a ground-breaking Midlothian Council project since August 2021, including Tyler McNair, David Haggerty and Becca Blair all pictured, are continuing to be supported to live independent, fulfilled lives.

78% permanently settled

At the full Council meeting on Tuesday, councillors heard 78% are permanently settled in their own rented home while the same percentage are either in employment, college or training. Those not in their own properties remain in either supported accommodation or with family.

100% supported

A total of 100% of the young people taking part in the project since August 2021 are still being offered support in some way.

Changing lives

Midlothian Council’s Cabinet Member with responsibility for Children’s Services, Councillor Ellen Scott said: “Working with the charities, Life Changes Trust and The National House Project, our Children’s Services team is changing lives for the better.

Cause for celebration

“Hearing that the young people involved are still getting so much out of taking part is certainly cause for celebration.”

A community of support

The House Project is a social enterprise built with young people leaving care, providing sustainable homes and a community of support that enables young people to have confidence in themselves and their future.

Gaining life skills

As part of the initial three-year project, three groups of up to 10 young people are being supported into a long-term home and given help with skills such as maintaining a home and being a responsible citizen.

Helped into a job or further education

They are also helped into what’s known as a positive destination, such as further education or a job.

Becca has great future

One of the young people is 18-year-old Becca Blair. Becca recently moved into a permanent two-bedroom home in Loanhead. It’s the first time she has lived on her own – although her brother Kyle comes to stay sometimes. However, with the support of the House Project team and the other young people in the group, she says she’s feeling settled. She says: “It is nerve wracking to begin with but I’ve got the flat the way I want it and I’m now into a routine.”

Growing confidence

Becca said fortnightly House Project meetings are giving her the chance to speak to others in the group and make new friends. Meanwhile, she feels confident about tasks like paying her rent on time. She’s now also left a previous job with Greggs the baker and is working as a support practitioner with ELCAP helping adults with disabilities. She would thoroughly recommend getting involved in the House Project. In fact, she’s encouraged her bother to put his name forward to be considered for the next intake.

Working with housing providers

The council has provided the majority of the homes but is now also working with other providers such as local housing associations including Melville and Castlerock.

National recognition

The charity Crisis recently included the Midlothian House Project as an example of good practice in its publication 75 Ways to Prevent Homelessness. A recent study of the three house projects in Scotland by the Scottish Throughcare and Aftercare Forum (STAF) highlighted overwhelmingly the “significant positive impact on young people supported by local House Projects.

In the picture

Picture: From left to right are young people involved with the House Project - Tyler McNair, David Haggerty and Becca Blair. They are pictured with Councillor Ellen Scott, second on left. Next to Cllr Scott is House Project team member, Jennifer King.